# Animated Video: Nodes ## Original script Monero is maintained by a decentralized network of nodes run by users around the world. Nodes serve three essential functions – distribution of the blockchain history, verification of cryptographic soundness, and the transmission of new peer to peer transactions. The Monero network would not exist today if nodes were not running, and as an incentive, managing your own node leads to the most secure and private experience that Monero users can have. A node can be run on any computer with an internet connection and enough hard drive space. When you first start a node, it synchronizes to the network, downloading a copy of the entire blockchain from other peers. Over time, the blockchain will continue to grow as more transactions are sent. If you find yourself short of hard drive space, you have the ability to trim the size of the blockchain by two thirds through a process known as pruning. This will have no effect on your privacy or the soundness of the blockchain. While synchronizing, your node simultaneously plays the role of an auditor by verifying that every single transaction abides by the underlying mathematics that comprise Monero’s cryptography. Because of this, you can rest assured that you are receiving a correct copy of the blockchain. Once your node is fully synchronized, you can send transactions from your private wallet and help other nodes download their own copy of the blockchain. With a node that is active, the user will have stronger privacy because of Dandelion++ -- when running an active node, a passive observer of the network will not be able to tell whether you are transmitting transactions on the Monero network, or simply relaying transactions from other nodes on the network. This allows you to hide your transactions behind all the other transactions being relayed through your node. Therefore, with an active node, a passive observer would not be able to tell when you connect to the Monero network to scan the blockchain or send a transaction. Additionally, there’s the option of running a Public Remote Node. This advanced feature allows a node to be accessed by other Monero users who do not run their own private node, such as mobile wallet users. Because every Monero wallet requires a blockchain to scan, your public remote node will serve as the catalyst for their transaction by allowing the remote user to access your blockchain and transmit their anonymous payments. Monero Nodes are a vital core concept that is the foundation for every Monero transaction. Check out Getmonero.org and run your very own node today! 427 words = 170s = 2min 50s ## Information I'd like to be included legend: [animation hints in square brackets] // = line cut because of complexity - high level meaning - audience: moderate technical knowledge, no technical contact with crypto (such as hodling only) - scope: intro to notes with actionable elements - goal: "ad" from zero crypto to using monero; but also using monero to contributing - twin video release with mining/randomX - section 0: software parts overview // - user sees only one app [app view, zoom in to see blocks] - wallet, node, miner [show in order: wallet, miner, then insert node in between] - wallet shows balance, creates transactions - miner secures the network [popup: upcoming video randomX] - nodes form decentralized mesh network [transition to next section] - section 1: what are nodes? - store the blockchain with historic transactions - can't see contents of transaction - validate new transaction data and spread it [one tx that spreads over the network] - validate mined blocks and add to blockchain - section 2.1: nodes for merchants (security) - most people don't need their own node - phone wallets connect to public node by default [show phone randomly connecting] - retailers do, one network hop for security, avoid malicious node - section 2.2: nodes for individuals (privacy with dandelion++) - connect with mobile wallet = update in seconds - better privacy, other nodes don't know wallet IP - dandelion++ hides origin node - stem + fluff phase [bounce tx, then spread] - section 3: how to run a node? - "monerod" included in GUI wallet [animated computer, real webpage: show getmonero.org link and download page] - of course needs internet connection - old computer is fine [show old dusty PC] - does not need a lot of performance, but store blockchain on SSD! [open chassis, label components "CPU from ca 2016", "8GB RAM", "SSD"] - blockchain grows: 180GB, if too much can be "pruned" to 1/3rd - link to tutorial //- section 4: use your node // - GUI wallet automatically connected // - connect mobile wallet ip + port 18089 // - open port 18080 - exchange blockchain data // - open port 18081 - public remote node (advanced feature) - need help? monero.social matrix or irc ## Re-Written script proposal v1.0 The Monero network requires three software parts: Wallets show the balance and create transactions, Miners secure the blockchain and Nodes form the decentralized mesh network. Each Node stores and distributes a copy of the blockchain, the history of all past transactions. When a Node receives a new transaction, it can not see any of the details, but it can use the blockchain and cryptographic algorithms to verify it. Notably this ensures that anyone can only spend Monero they own. Accepted transactions are then spread out to the other nodes in the network. Eventually Miners include these transactions in a new block, which is again validated by the Nodes and appended to the blockchain. Despite the vital role of nodes, most people do not need to run their own. To send Monero the wallet simply connects to one of the publicly available remote nodes. Issues can arise when both sender and receiver connect to the same node, because a malicious node could bypass the validation steps done by the network. For this reason it is recommended that merchants run their own node. Users can also benefit from their own local node with faster wallet synchronization and increased privacy. When using public nodes the IP and access time can be logged. A local Node can use Dandelion++ to bounce transactions trough a random number of nodes before spreading it to the network, thereby hiding the true origin. The node software is included with the official GUI wallet from getmonero.org and runs on any computer with internet and enough storage. For good performance an SSD is recommended to store the blockchain. It will keep growing as more new transactions are added and is about 180GB in size right now. To reduce the size by two thirds, "pruning" can be enabled with minimal impact on performance and privacy. 304 words = 122s = 2min 02s ## Revised script VOSTOEMISIO - Core Monero Concepts – Nodes Script Monero is maintained by a decentralized network of nodes run by users around the world. Nodes serve three essential functions – distribution of the blockchain history, verification of cryptographic soundness, and the transmission of new peer to peer transactions. The Monero network would not exist today if nodes were not running, and as an incentive, managing your own node leads to the most secure and private experience that Monero users can have. A node can be run on any computer with an internet connection and enough hard drive space. When you first start a node, it synchronizes to the network, downloading a copy of the entire blockchain from other peers. Over time, the blockchain will continue to grow as more transactions are sent. If you find yourself short of hard drive space, you have the ability to trim the size of the blockchain by two thirds through a process known as pruning. This will have no effect on your privacy or the soundness of the blockchain. It should be noted that running a node is not a requirement to use Monero. Many Monero users access nodes remotely using the official core wallet, trusted third party wallets, or one of several mobile applications. This is because node operators have the option of allowing their downloaded blockchain to be accessed, which permits the remote user to scan the nodes blockchain with their private key and thereby send private transactions from their personal device. Remotely accessing a node does not reveal the amount of XMR or the destination of the XMR being sent, however, bad actors can log IP address or access times of the remote user. Because of this trust involved, it is recommended that remote users familiarize themselves with onion routing and only use community approved nodes for their security, and furthermore, that other more active users such as merchants operate their own node. With a node that is active, the user will have stronger privacy because of Dandelion++ -- when running an active node, a passive observer of the network will not be able to tell whether you are transmitting transactions on the Monero network, or simply relaying transactions from other nodes on the network. Notice how the transactions being transmitted from the personal node blends in with the relayed transactions from other nodes, as well as the transactions being sent from remote users [this will be illustrated]. This allows you to hide your transactions behind all the other transactions being relayed through your node. Therefore, with an active node, a passive observer would not be able to tell when you connect to the Monero network to scan the blockchain or send a transaction. Monero Nodes are a vital core concept that is the foundation for every Monero transaction. Check out Getmonero.org and run your very own node today! 471 words = 187s = 3min 07s